Gifts Received (3)

Welcome, Hugh Akston

Without the Second there would be no First

* Do not think dishonestly.* The Way is in training.* Become aquainted with every art.* Know the Ways of all professions.* Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters.* Develop intuitive judgement and understanding for everything.* Perceive those things which cannot be seen.* Pay attention even to trifles.* Do nothing which is of no use.

I have no doubt Putin orchestrated the esculation of the protest of Kiev into violence for the eventual invasion of the Crimea. However, I see more of the whole picture he plans for himself from Turkey, across the Middle East. He needs to threaten the Ukraine and Georgia by force as after experiencing the expertise of the KBG under the Soviet Union they would not rush back into Mother Russia's arms.

Putin will need lots of money to control and keep power and trade routes are important for him. In order to dilute U.S. power across the Middle East he has to forge allies which he has been doing very well. I say impatient because he has shown his hand much too early. I know he had to make a move before the November 2014 Midterms while he can control Obama so now, he has 2 years to finish his plans for the Ukraine and Georga before Obama is out. He has been working within these countries and if he doesn't succeed his troops are poised for invasion. He needs to form his Union and although he has restrained himself with Georgia his impatience shows with moving troops into the Crimea.

I feel he was succeeding within the power structure of the Ukraine but, his Puppet Government were too corrupt, go figure. Like Hitler, he will continue to get greedy. He also likes to collect Capitalist money and goodies and he won't be able to stop himself. Much like the Communist/Socialist here who thought they were going to run all over the people when they got into power and everything was going to go their way without a fight.

Remermber the Communist developed psycho-babble into a fine art for stradegy against the West for half a century. If he had invaded during the Games the World would have been shocked out of their stupor and the reaction to Russia's invasion of the Crimea would have had a different effect.

Hitler was a master at masquerrades and did nothing during the 1936 Olympics. He took years to put his plan into action for war. Putin could have invaded the Ukraine and the World would have done nothing but, he would have lost face with his own people and he wouldn't be able to fight a prolonged battle. I'm sure his minions advised him as much. So, he did the next best thing, took the Crimea. At the time he moved his tropps along the Ukraine border he was *issed and would have invaded if cooler heads had not prevailed. This showed me Putin is a hot-head. The only question I have is, can his consultants control his fanaticism